The Chicago Bears open the postseason Saturday night as the NFC’s No. 2 seed, hosting the Green Bay Packers in a first round matchup that arrives with built-in intensity. Chicago finished the regular season 11-6, while Green Bay slipped in as the No. 7 seed at 9-7-1. The teams split their two regular-season meetings, setting the stage for a rubber match with far higher stakes. At the center of it all is Ben Johnson, a first-year head coach stepping into the postseason faster than almost anyone expected.
First year head coach, already in January
Johnson’s rise has been immediate. In his first season as a head coach, he guided the Bears to an 11-6 record and the No. 2 seed in the NFC. There is no prior postseason résumé to lean on. This will be Johnson’s first playoff game as a head coach, and it comes under prime time lights against a division rival.
That lack of head coaching playoff experience is balanced by deep familiarity with high stakes football. Johnson spent the last several seasons as the Detroit Lions’ offensive coordinator, calling games in playoff environments and helping engineer one of the league’s most productive offenses. This is his first time owning the entire operation in January, but not his first time feeling the pressure that comes with it.
Chicago jumped ahead of schedule
The Bears were not supposed to be here this quickly. Johnson inherited a roster that had struggled for consistency, then reshaped the offense with precision and clarity. Chicago finished with the best record in the NFC North, earning a bye contender’s position instead of fighting just to get in.
At 11-6, the Bears combined explosive offense with situational control, winning close games and avoiding the prolonged dips that defined previous seasons. Johnson’s attention to detail showed up weekly, particularly in red zone execution and third down efficiency, areas that often separate playoff teams from the rest of the field.
Detroit blueprint behind the turnaround
Much of Johnson’s reputation was built in Detroit. As offensive coordinator, he helped transform the Lions into one of the league’s most efficient and creative units. Last season, Detroit finished with the top scoring offense in football, a run that made Johnson one of the most sought-after head coaching candidates in the league.
Chicago hired him to bring that structure, not just the playbook. The emphasis on spacing, sequencing, and matchup stress carried over quickly. The Bears did not look like a team experimenting. They looked organized early, confident late, and increasingly comfortable playing with a lead.
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Packers matchup and a familiar test
Saturday night brings a familiar opponent. Chicago and Green Bay split their two regular-season games, each defending home field. The third meeting removes the margin for error. Division games rarely surprise. They expose discipline, preparation, and composure.
For Johnson, this matchup tests more than scheme. It tests in-game management, emotional control, and the ability to handle momentum swings in a rivalry setting. The Packers arrive loose as the No. 7 seed. The Bears carry the expectations that come with being a top seed.
What this postseason moment represents
Johnson’s head coaching record sits at 11-6, impressive by any standard, but especially for a first-year coach. This postseason is not about validation. It is about confirmation. Confirmation that the Bears’ rise is real. Confirmation that Johnson’s approach translates beyond the regular season.
Win or lose, this game marks the beginning of Johnson’s playoff chapter as a head coach. But the opportunity is clear. Chicago enters with home-field field, momentum, and belief.
Ben Johnson reached January faster than expected. Now comes the harder part. Proving that his impact on the Bears can extend through the postseason, starting with a rivalry game that offers no shortcuts and no forgiveness.
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